Be vigilant about food allergies in your children

Growing up, I was not aware of any friend that was allergic to a food. However, upon becoming a parent, I quickly became aware of a number of children with food allergies, several so acute that I now routinely ask about food allergies prior to having any child in my care.

Food allergies in children have doubled in the past decade; www.foodallergy.org states that one in every 13 children under age 18 has a food allergy, and among preschoolers, the incidence is one in 10. More than one-third of children with food allergies are allergic to multiple foods. These numbers are alarming.

During a recent interview on NPR (http://www.npr.org/2013/04/15/177319365/the-doctor-trying-to-solve-the-mystery-of-food-allergies) Dr. Kari Nadeau, a scientist at the forefront of food allergy research, shared that it is suspected that the reason food allergies have exploded is multifactorial. In other words, there is no single reason or simple answer. She is conducting clinical trials on desensitizing children who have multiple food allergies. The results look promising.

The most common food allergens are tree nuts, peanuts, milk, eggs, soy, wheat, fish, and shellfish. These eight food sources account for 90 percent of food allergies. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not require labeling on trace amounts (trace contaminants) up to 200 milligrams. Although 200 milligrams does not sound like a lot, it is roughly the equivalent of a peanut. But a parent of a child with a severe food allergy will tell you otherwise. Those 200 milligrams can throw their child into a severe reaction, anaphylactic shock or worse. These trace amounts can kill.

Sarah, mom to a middle-school-aged son who was diagnosed with a severe milk allergy when being weaned from breastfeeding at one year old, lives with this knowledge. She has had to learn how to manage her son’s food allergies. She has done a remarkable job, effectively advocating for her son and other children who have food allergies — educating her son, faculty and staff, students, and parents of students about the basics of food allergies, and how to manage them.

One-third of kids with food allergies are bullied. Sarah’s son is not. Her openness has encouraged other parents of kids with food allergies to join in. Together they have educated adults and children on how critical reactions to food can range from itchy throats and skin reactions to stomachaches, burning tongues, and signs of anaphylaxis. They have created a clear understanding of food allergy management and garnered strong support for kids with food allergies within the school population. My son is a close friend of her son and is hyper-vigilant and respectful about his friend’s dietary restrictions. He is aware of what his friend cannot have and what is safe. He knows this because he has been taught.

Please teach your child about the seriousness and life-threatening truths about food allergies. If you do not know, ask a parent who has a child with food allergies. What is inconvenient for you — not having that food allergen in their presence or wiping your counters down before they visit your home — can be life-threatening to another.

Writer and author Judy M. Miller savors time with her kids. She is a Certified Gottman Educator and the author of “What To Expect From Your Adopted Tween,” “Writing to Heal Adoption Grief: Making Connections & Moving Forward,” and “For Families and Friends: Advice, Suggestions, and Honest Dialogue About How to Best Support Parents on Their Adoption Journey.”

Learn more: Great parent resources

• Food Allergy Research and Education (FARE) is a comprehensive site for becoming educated about food allergies and food allergy advocacy. It works on behalf of 15 million Americans with food allergies. www.foodallergy.org

• The Nadeau Lab in Stanford University School of Medicine’s Immunology and Allergy Division provides research findings regarding food allergies, as well as other areas. Dr. Karen Nadeau is exploring the role of suppressor T cells (Tregs), a subpopulation of T cells that modulate immune systems, and tolerance mechanisms of allergic disorders. http://nadeaulab.stanford.edu.

• The Nut-Free Mom nut-freemom.blogspot.com, an archived blog. Jenny Kales is a mom who shares her experience of having a daughter with life-threatening nut allergies. She provides a broad range of ideas for being a proactive parent, or friend, of a child with any food allergy.

ClinicalTrials.gov, a service of U.S. National Institutes of Health, lists the clinical trials in progress (active, recruiting) or completed. The results of the trials, if available, are posted when clicking on the links. https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/results?term=food+allergies&Search=Search

• “The New Nut-Free Mom: A Crash Course in Caring for Your Nut-Allergic Child” by Jenny Kales is available in an e-book format. The book is available for download to e-book devices through Amazon and Barnes & Noble, and via the Kindle and Nook apps for phones, tablets, Mac, and PCs.

• MedicAlert has medical IDs for all ages. They also provide services to protect people in the event of emergencies, worldwide. http://www.medicalert.org

Learn More: Signs of anaphylaxis

Anaphylaxis is a life-threatening allergic reaction. It can occur suddenly and escalate quickly, usually within minutes of a person eating. Mild symptoms can be a runny nose, a funny feeling, or a sudden rash, but these can swiftly escalate to more serious issues, such as:

• Difficulty breathing

• Swelling, hives or swollen lips

• Hoarseness

• Constriction of the throat

• Nausea and vomiting

• Abdominal pain and cramping

• Diarrhea

• Low blood pressure

• Dizziness

• Fainting

• Rapid heartbeat

• Cardiac arrest

Relevant Directory Listings

See More

Long Island Game Farm Wildlife Park & Children’s Zoo

<p dir="ltr">Long Island Game Farm Wildlife Park & Children’s Zoo presents programming for children and families of all ages, animal encounters, zookeeper experiences, VIP tours, season memberships, and much more! Camp Zoo introduces and immerses children in nature through outdoor exploration, games, crafts, and other educational hands-on activities. </p> <p dir="ltr">In partnership with their nonprofit arm, the Foundation for Wildlife Sustainability, the game farm also offers culture, education, and wellness programs to connect people with wildlife and the natural environment. </p> <p dir="ltr">A critical aspect of the game farm is serving as a sanctuary to animals that have been rescued, rehabilitated, or re-homed, including Sicilian miniature donkeys, alpacas, African Sulcatta tortoises, peacocks, rabbits, goats, sheep, alligators, and our beloved Gomez, a Sulphur-crested cockatoo, and Nala, an African Serval cat! </p> <p> </p>

OASIS DAY CAMP CENTRAL PARK – Manhattan

<p class="MsoNormal"><strong>Give Your Child A Lifetime of Memories At A Beautiful Summer Oasis</strong></p> <p><strong> </strong></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><strong>25 AMAZING SUMMERS, LIFELONG FRIENDS!</strong></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Unparalleled quality summer camp at the ICONIC Central Park in the heart of New York City. Over 90 activities for kids 3-16 Sports, Swim, Enrichment, + Teen Travel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>Warm Social and Emotional Environment. As part of the Oasis family, kids gain confidence, compassion, self-esteem & individuality.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Oasis Day Camp offers specialized programming for campers 3 – 15 years old. A traditional day camp in every way, Oasis prides itself on quality programming at parent-friendly prices. Oasis has swim, sports, art, music, dance, nature, and enrichment programming as well as air-conditioned indoor facilities, and the great outdoor green shady fields and athletic facilities! There are trips for teens and, the most well trained, caring staff in the industry. Daily hot lunch and snacks and transportation options.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Oasis gives campers the opportunity to be active, think creatively, and discover new friendships that will last a lifetime. Truly a summer to experience the outdoors and a traditional camp right in your neighborhood.</p>

Queens College Summer Camp

<p>Running from Wednesday, June 28th through Tuesday, August 22nd, the Queens College Summer Camp continues to be the hallmark and cornerstone of the Athletics and Recreation Department and a staple of summer plans in the NYC metropolitan area. The camp, which has always followed New York State Board of Health guidelines, will conduct this summer's programs following current state guidelines, which follow CDC recommendations regarding COVID-19. The camp's outdoor and indoor activities include:</p> <ul type="disc"> <li>Pool use.</li> <li>Use of the new turf fields.</li> <li>Other facilities around Queens College Campus. </li> </ul> <p>Five specially designed programs are available for the 2023 season:</p> <ol start="1" type="1"> <li>The Education and Sports will have three hours of academics. The rest of the day will include sports activities on the fields and gym games. Indoor Gym Games include obstacle courses, scooter games, and a daily introduction to basketball and swimming for ages 5-6. The older kids will participate in group sports such as basketball, soccer, tennis, volleyball, softball, and swimming. The counselor will remain with the group through all activities, including lunch. Choose the Education Academy based on the grade they will enter in September.</li> <li>Theater Arts Programs provide instruction in singing, dancing, and acting, culminating in a performance. Past productions included Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin, The Lion King, and more.</li> <li>All Day Sports Academy provides instruction for developing generalized skills across various sports.</li> <li>Single Specialty Sports Camps provide individualized volleyball instruction by the college's coaches and varsity players.</li> <li>Counselor-in-Training Program A unique program created for teenagers focused on developing strong leaders. It helps prepare young adults for the next phase in their lives-college and the workplace.</li> </ol> <p>With summer right around the corner, there is no better time to secure your child's plans for July and August by enrolling them in the Queens College Summer Camp.</p> <p>For more details, visit the Queens College Summer Camp homepage, or email  <a href="mailto:[email protected]" target="_blank" rel="noopener">[email protected].<wbr />edu</a> for more information.</p>